RCAF files Rainsy treason complaint

A lawyer for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces filed a treason complaint against former opposition CNRP leader Sam Rainsy yesterday after he called on the armed forces to disobey their orders and go against the government.

Vong Pheakdey, RCAF’s lawyer, told journalists after he left the municipal court that the complaint is based on an interview and Facebook post Mr Rainsy made in France.

In the interview and post, Mr Rainsy asked the armed forces not to obey orders from a dictatorship government.

“I hope that the court will take immediate action because this case seriously affected national security,” Mr Pheakdey said.

The lawsuit says Mr Rainsy’s comments incited the armed forces to not obey orders and thus harmed national security and the morale of troops.

In a post on his Facebook page this week, Mr Rainsy, who remains in exile in France, said: “To soldiers and policemen, please don’t obey orders from any dictator if they order you to shoot and kill innocent people.”

Mr Rainsy yesterday posted on his page that he welcomed the treason complaint filed against him.

“My appeal to the armed forces through my Facebook page remains as is – please armed forces, police and soldiers do not command the dictator if they order the shooting and killing of innocent people,” he said.

“All of Hun Sen’s complaints…make the public aware that Hun Sen is a dictator and ignorant,” he added.

On Wednesday, Pol Saroeun, RCAF’s commander, said the army works for a legitimate government and had monitored Mr Rainsy’s recent comments.

“We would like to strongly condemn what he said,” he said.

San Chey, executive director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability, said the government’s most recent complaint against Mr Rainsy can be added to a long line of former lawsuits, many that were dropped or pardoned by the King after the political situation in the country stabilised.

The opposition CNRP was dissolved last month after its leader Kem Sokha was jailed on treason charges for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government through a colour revolution.

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